The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-10-26
aMoNTANA HANGING.


The citizens of Helena. Mont, had
long been accustomed to deal out JUS
tice 10 criminals. They found this
popular way far more speedy and eff
cient than the ordinary law courts.
Time gave them much experience in
handling criminals. and their calm.
unimpassioned. methodical way is well
illustrated in their treatment of the
villains who had attacked George Len
hart
Lenhart was kind-hearted old man,
who was well known and widely re-
spected. He was found one morning
lying senseless by the roadside and
covered with blood. On regaining
consciousness he said that while
riding homeward the previous night
he had been overtaken by two
horsemen. One of them shot
him in the thigh. and when
he had fallen from his horse they had
beaten him to insensibility. He des-
cribed the men and they were soon ar
rested and lodged in Jail.
The following evening the citizens
met TO talk the matter over. A gen.
eral discussion was held. and then
they quietly adjourned TO meet the
following day. An hour before the
dPROAhASA lilnc l1OuSanu men nAu
gathered at the place of meeting. A
chairman was appointed, and he stated
the general purpose for which they had
come together. There was not the
slightest excitement visible anywhere;
everything was quiet and orderly as a
camp-meeting
A well-known merchant of the town
removed his hat and moved that a iury
of twenty citizens be appointed to OBJ
tain evidence, to listen to arguments
for the prosecution and the defense,
and to declare to the assembly the
| guilt or innocence of the persons ae-
cused. The motion was seconded and
then carried. The jury was selected,
| and retired at once to a room to begin
| its investigations.
Up TO this time the prisoners had re-
| manned in the Jail unmolested. But
the committee had use for them now,
| and sent its marshal to bring them.
| The marshal, with n number of men,
waited upon the sheriff, but that officer
| declined to surrender his prisoners.
| The marshal thereupon increased his
| force, seized the sheriff and his depu-
| ties and searched for the keys. When
| these were found the officers of the law
| were locked in a room together and a
| guard placed over them that they
might not make themselves trouble
some. One of the prisoners was then
taken from the prison, and between n
double line of citizens was led to the
committee-room. He made full con-
fession and his accomplice did the
same. The committee, therefore, went
out before the assembly and reported
that the guilt of the prisoners was fully
established.
At this juncture the district Judge
appeared and asked to be heard. Per-
mission was granted. He entered a
long protest against this interference
with the civil authorities.
The Judge was listened to patiently
and respectfully. He was a good
enough man, but they had heard SINH
lar arguments fifty times before.
They had grown tired of sitting quiet
ly by and awaiting the laws delay
while men were shot down and robbed
day after day.
| Finally the vote was put by the
chairman: What shall be done with
the prisoners?" Hang themw was
the response. Again and more care
fully the question was put. 'Is il
your decree that the prisoners, JOSEPH
Wilson and A. l.. Compton, shall b,
taken to Pine Tree, in Dry Gulch, ant
there be hanged by the neck until the,
are deadP" 1T is; that's the verdict
came from almost every person pres
ent.
1t was then 2:30 A motion pre-
vailed that the prisoners be given til
o'clock to prepare for death
Throughout the entire proceedings tn
utmost decorum and even solemnit
prevailed among the crowd, which ha,
gradually swelled to 5000 souls. A
no time during the day had there bee
= any loud talking or boisterous demon
= stration.
! At the appointed hour the gulch pr,
? sented the appearance of vast amph
, theater. 1t was lined with dens
mass of human beings, who covere
l the adjacent hills also. The town ws
deserted. At 4:30 the men were take
from the room where they had bee
confined. They were placed in
wagon, and each appeared intent Q
the words of the priest that was by h
y side. The wagon halted under IL
= branches of the fatal tree. The roy
!, was thrown over the limb, prayer
: were said, the horses were started, an
J all was quickly over.-St. Paul GLo6